Being widely used since its discovery, tobacco contains many chemical substances including nitric oxide, hydrocarbons, aldehydes, phenols, quinone and semiquinone radicals, and causes the formation of oxygen-induced free radicals directly or indirectly. Therefore, it is important to know the oxidant/antioxidant properties, phenolic content of Nicotiana rustica Linn., and the effect studies on Paraoxonase (PON 1) and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) which are important metabolic enzymes. In the study, the effect of extracts (water and methanol) of Nicotiana rustica Linn on PON 1 and AChE enzyme activity was examined. Water extract of Nicotiana rustica Linn Maras Powder with walnut, (MPWW) and methanol extract Maras Powder with Nicotiana rustica, (MPNR), Maras Powder with walnut, (MPWW) and Maras Powder with copper cauldron, (MPCC) had an inhibitory effect on AChE (IC50 values in the range of 0.104-0.203 mg ml-1). Also water extract MPCC and methanol extract MPNR, MPWW and MPCC showed an inhibition effect on PON 1 (IC50 values 0.013-0.225 mg ml -1). MPNR water extract showed the highest activity with 26% DPPH radical scavenging activity. MPCC water extract showed a 13% ABTS radical scavenging activity.

Helichrysum arenarium, commonly known as the immortal or everlasting flower, is a member of the Asteraceae family celebrated for its potential medicinal properties. This study aims to elucidate the phenolic profile and antioxidant properties of H. arenarium using advanced analytical techniques. Methanol extract of H. arenarium was analyzed using Liquid Chromatography coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify and quantify various phenolic compounds. The phenolic profile revealed high concentrations of luteolin (744.57 mg 100-1 g-1), quercetin (113.13 mg 100-1 g-1), and naringenin (229.60 mg 100-1 g-1), while other compounds were below the limit of quantification. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, and FRAP assays, showing moderate activity compared to standard antioxidants such as BHA, BHT, and Trolox. The methanol extract exhibited DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities of 19.14% and 26.91%, respectively, with FRAP and CUPRAC absorbance values of 0.441 and 0.653. These findings highlight the potential of H. arenarium as a source of natural antioxidants and pave the way for future research to optimize its therapeutic applications, especially in combating oxidative stress-related conditions.

Background: Urtica dioica L. is a widely utilized medicinal plant with potential antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial properties. Methods: This study aimed to investigate its multi-target biological activities across four cell lines (A549, MDA-MB-231, HCT116, and BEAS-2B) while evaluating the impact of two extraction solvents (acidified methanol and hexane) on activity outcomes. Results: The acidified methanolic extract exhibited higher total phenolic (61.25 ± 3.07 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (51.20 ± 2.01 mg CE/g) content, correlating with superior antioxidant activity (DPPH: 84.36 ± 1.50 mg TE/g; CUPRAC: 174.04 ± 9.54 mg TE/g). In contrast, the hexane extract demonstrated stronger cytotoxicity across cancer cell lines (IC ₅₀ : 3.10–4.12 µg/mL), along with significant induction of apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, despite lower antioxidant capacity. In addition, both extracts increased the protein levels of p21 and cleaved caspase-3, suggesting involvement of cell cycle inhibition and activation of intrinsic apoptotic signalling pathways. Moderate antimicrobial activity was also observed, with inhibition zones ranging from 7 to 10 mm across bacterial and fungal strains. Conclusions: These findings highlight the bioactive potential of U. dioica and the critical role of extraction solvent in modulating its total phenolic and flavonoid contents and biological effects. The observed upregulation of p21 and cleaved caspase-3 further supports the notion that U. dioica extracts may exert antiproliferative activity through p21-mediated cell cycle control and caspase-dependent apoptosis. Further in vivo studies and mechanistic investigations are needed to confirm these observations and clarify their potential therapeutic relevance.